Separator for secondary batteries.



No. 736,216. PATEN-TED AUGL11. 1903,,

A. F. CLARK. -S PARATO FOR SECONDARY BATTERIES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. 1901.

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UNITED STATES Patented August 11, 1903.

AT ENT "FFICE.

ABSOLAM F. CLARK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF PHILADEL- PHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA;

sEPARAToR FLOR SECONDARY BATTERIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,216, dated August 11,1903.

Application filed July 22,1901. Serial No. 69,254. (No model.)

the grid, thereby retaining all of the active material in place when'the latter begins to break down. 1

My improved separator forms what maybe termed an envelop, which incloses the entire positive-pole plate.

My invention also includes certain improvements in the positive-pole plates of secondary batteries especially applicable for use with the improved form of separator which I have devised.

My invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view of a secondary-battery made up of a series of positive and negative pole plates and the separators forming the subject of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of one of -said separators. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the separator. Figs. 4 5, and 6 are views illustrating modifications of my improved separator. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a positive-pole plate for use in connection with the separator shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and Figs. 8 a11d9 are views illustrating modified details of such plate.

In all forms of secondary batteriesloss of efficiency is due to the breaking away of the active material from the grids formingfthe positive-pole plates.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable separator that ,will insure the isolation of the plates and at the same time positively support the grates of the grid and the active material held therein, confining the latter in contact with its metallic conducting and supporting frame.

In the drawings herewith, 1 represents the positive-pole plates, made up of a grid having the grates or cross-bars 2 and the side pieces 3. Into the spaces formed by said grates or plates are shown at 5, and interposed between said negativepole plates are the separators G. These separators are made up of a series of cross-bars 7, shaped so as to enter a space formed between the grates 01": the grid and the active material, such active material having been pressed into the grid so as to leave the space shown at 8. The cross-bars of the separator are held together by means of the ribs 9, preferablytriangular in cross-section, and the said separator, comprising the cross-pieces 6 and ribs 8, is formed of some non-conducting material capable of being 1noldedsucl1, for instance, hard rubber, porcelain, earthenware, celluloid, and the like. The ends of the separator are provided with side frame-pieces 10, adapted to rest within the side pieces 3 of the positive-pole plate, which are wider than the separators, and said side frame-pieces of the separator are notched to correspond with the cross-section of the cross-bars 7.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a modified form of separator in which the cross-pieces 7 extend entirely under the grates of the grid, the other side of the positive-pole plate having a perforated separator-plate 11 adjacent thereto, which may be provided with vertical ribs 9 of the same character as those carried by the other form of separator.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a form of separator having cross pieces 7 with wedgeshaped edges 12 adapted to triangular recesses 13 in the edge of the grates or cross-bars 2, whereby the latter may be supported. a In Fig. 6 I have shown another form of separator cross-bar 7 supporting the edges of the grates of the grid. In this instance the grates are beveled on the under side at 14 and the cross-piece has a similarly-beveled portion 15, engaging the beveled portion of the grates.

In all the forms of separators shown and described herewith the cross-bars have a portion extending for a slight distancebelow their supporting portion, and between this depending piece and the upwardly-proj ectin g portion of the next lower cross-piece a space IOO For use with the separator-plate shown in. Figs. 1, 2, and 3 or that shown in Fig. 4 it will be necessary to specially mold the active material filling the positive electrode, and in Fig. '7 Ihave shown a perspective view of a portion of such plate molded to fit the separatonplate shown in Fig. 1, the active material 4 having a beveled upper surface between whichand the grates a space is left.

In addition to the form of positive -pole plate shown in Fig. 7 I show in Figs. 8 and 9 other forms of positive-pole plates having modified details. In Fig. 8 the cross-bars or grates 2 are provided with side projections 18, which give additional surface for the active material should the latter break away. These projections are square and of the same height as the space between the active material and the next grate or cross-bar of the grid. In Fig. 9 I have shown projections 18, carried by the grates or cross-bars 2 which are beveled from their upper edges to the surface of the grate. The projections 18 and 18 also serve to retain the active material in place after it has been fitted into the grid. The active material may be put into the grid and pressed into shape therein by suitable dies when plastic, or it may be made in strips by anysuitable molding or forming mechanism, cut into proper lengths when dry, and then fitted into the spaces of the grid.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. As a new article of manufacture, in combination with the plates of a secondary battery, a non-conducting separator having supporting-shelves for the active material carried by the positive-pole plates.

2. As a new article of manufacture, in combination with the plates of a secondary battery, a non-conducting separator having supporting-shelves for the grates of the grids forming the positive-pole plates.

3. As a new article of manufacture, in combination with the plates of a secondary battery, a non-conducting separator having supporting-shelves for the grates of the grids can rying the active material and forming the positive-pole plates. 4. As a new article of manufacture, in combination with the plates of a secondary battery,anon-conducting separatorhavingcrosspieces forming supporting shelves for the active material-carried by the positive-pole plates. W

5. As a new article of manufacture, in combination with the plates of a secondary bat-. tery,a non-conducting separator having crosspieces forming supporting shelves for the active material carried by the positive-pole plates, and spacing members secured to the backs of the supporting-shelves.

6. As a new article of manufacture, in combination with the plates of a secondary battery, a non-conducting separator comprisingtery, a non-conducting separator comprising a frame having L-shaped cross-pieces to support the. grates of the grids carrying the active material and forming the positive-pole plates.

8. The combination in a secondary battery, of the positive-pole plate having a series of cross-pieces or grates, active material carried in but not filling the spaces between said crosspieces, and a separator having shelves or sup porting portions for the grates and arranged to enter the spaces between the grates and the active material.

9. The combination in a secondary battery, of the positive-pole plate having a series of grates, active material carried in but not filling thespaces between said grates, and a separator having supporting portions for the grates and arranged to enter the spaces between the grates and the active material, said supporting portions being secured together by vertical spacing members.

10. The combination in a secondary battery, of the positive-pole plate having crossbars between which the active material is disposed, said active material being so disposed as to provide a space between the same and the cross-bars, a separator-plate for use with such plate, and shelves carried by said plate and arranged to enter the spaces between the active material and the cross-bars of the positive plate.

11. As a .new article of manufacture, a grated grid filled with active material for use as a positive-pole plate for secondary batteries, said grid having the active material so arranged in the spaces between the grates as to provide spaces or recesses for the insertion of a support for the plates.

12. As a new article of manufacture, a 

